Harry Maguire

[CWMCFC]

Why would we move one of the very best defensive midfielders in the world, so key to our success, out of position?

Very strong chance Rodri will be first choice by new year meaning that Fernandinho can be utilised as a utility player when he doesn't need to start at DM. We can afford to move one of the very best defensive midfielders in the world, because we just signed one of the other very best DMs.

I think if Fernandinho is to continue his career here on a more long term basis, his future will partly be at CB as he ages. He has the ability to be very good in this position.

Pep's played him there before in the past, but hasn't needed to, nor been afforded the opportunity to play him there more due to having no proper DM cover. Reports that he will be 4th choice next season haven't just been plucked from thin air.

 

[CWMCFC]

It baffles me why people are opposed to using Fernandinho at centre back. I completely understand he’s not the tallest and won’t win as many aerial duels as Maguire but that’s such a small part of the game, especially now we’ve got the additional height and aerial presence of Rodri at 6’3” which we’ve not had previously. Rodri’s size will help us at set pieces and he’ll also provide a shield against long balls into the more physical strikers.

To me it just means we push even higher up the pitch and give Ederson even more responsibility in mopping up the long hopeful punts, he only wore gloves in 50% of the games last season to protect himself from frost bite.

People are so fixated on height when it comes to CBs. Put Fernandinho up against Stones in an aerial duel and I'm backing the former, despite being significantly shorter.

 

[80s Shorts]

There's literally one example people use when touting a CM to move to CB, and it's always Mascherano.

Why people automatically then apply that theory to any aging CM is beyond me. It's not a done thing, Mascherano was the exception, not the norm. The guy was never that great in CM to begin with - certainly no where near Fernandinho's level.

Rodri will get his chance and game time, it's a long season and as we've seen Fern might need a lighter workload due to injury risk. As already said, the guy is one of if not the best in the world in his position - playing him in anything other than CM is madness, unless we're desperate.

 

[denislawsbackheel]

There's literally one example people use when touting a CM to move to CB, and it's always Mascherano.

Why people automatically then apply that theory to any aging CM is beyond me. It's not a done thing, Mascherano was the exception, not the norm. The guy was never that great in CM to begin with - certainly no where near Fernandinho's level.

Rodri will get his chance and game time, it's a long season and as we've seen Fern might need a lighter workload due to injury risk. As already said, the guy is one of if not the best in the world in his position - playing him in anything other than CM is madness, unless we're desperate.

Vincent...

 

[Coatigan]

There's literally one example people use when touting a CM to move to CB, and it's always Mascherano.

Why people automatically then apply that theory to any aging CM is beyond me. It's not a done thing, Mascherano was the exception, not the norm. The guy was never that great in CM to begin with - certainly no where near Fernandinho's level.

Javi Martinez, Beckebauer , boateng, deRossi (and back), medel, yaya toure (and back again).. and on occasion, fernandino..

 

[caseball]

Dinho's good enough in the air but the arrival of a tall DM should make it more likely that Dinho can sometimes be used at the back. He's got the speed to cover the open field against counterattacks and he's tactically very smart. At CB he won't be required to do as much legwork. That doesn't mean he'll never play in midfield. He and Walker would make a very quick pairing for snuffing out counters.

 

[RandomJ]

People are so fixated on height when it comes to CBs. Put Fernandinho up against Stones in an aerial duel and I'm backing the former, despite being significantly shorter.

I'm seeing some right shite being written about Stones on here lately. You do know that Stones statistically won more balls in the air per game than both Kompany and Laporte last season right? On top of being a far better passer. He makes a couple of fuck ups for England and suddenly we need to spend £90 million on Maguire to replace him? Before his injury and all the shit that was going on in his personal life he was rock solid for us.

 

[caseball]

People are forgetting Mike Doyle, who started out as a midfielder but turned into a much better player as a centre back. Filled in at full back on occasion and sometimes at centre forward. Tommy Booth did the trip in the other direction.

 

[Impeccable One]

Otamendi frightens me ..... seems to make mistakes every game

Presume you took the 17-18 season off ?

 

[leo_city]

Presume you took the 17-18 season off ?

why are people using that example? its been 2 years, he's not played regularly since and when he has, he has made some rash tackles and always looked shaky. Its time we move on from him.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

People are so fixated on height when it comes to CBs. Put Fernandinho up against Stones in an aerial duel and I'm backing the former, despite being significantly shorter.

The same posters wouldn't have wanted Cannavaro or Baresi in their pomp for the same reason.

You only need to use your extreme talents (height, pace, acceleration etc) if your reading of the game is incorrect or slow.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Javi Martinez, Beckebauer , boateng, deRossi (and back), medel, yaya toure (and back again).. and on occasion, fernandino..

Best not mention Carrick and McTominey ;-)

 

[leo_city]

not gonna lie when you put the backline together it looks pretty good

Ederson

Walker Maguire Laporte Angelino

 

[ctid1894]

People are so fixated on height when it comes to CBs. Put Fernandinho up against Stones in an aerial duel and I'm backing the former, despite being significantly shorter.

Exactly winning headers is more about timing, positioning, jumping ability and most importantly a lack of fear. Micah Richards being a prime example, as he was utterly fearless and had a jump and half on him.

 

[cleavers]

not gonna lie when you put the backline together it looks pretty good

Ederson

Walker Maguire Laporte Angelino

Except Maguire isn't coming here, we're just not paying the amount of money they want for him, I suspect we baulked when it got above £60m, but carried on showing some interest in the player, but its a minimum of £75 now, so we're out, and rightly so, it doesn't matter who's money it is, he isn't worth anything like that price.

 

[ctid1894]

not gonna lie when you put the backline together it looks pretty good

Ederson

Walker Maguire Laporte Angelino

Maguire in front of Stones with the style of football we play?

I think I need to put you on the ignore list before I call you a stupid ćunt, too late. Sorry pal I’m joking but come on please don’t force me to post a picture of John McEnroe, I will do it next time I swear.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

I'm seeing some right shite being written about Stones on here lately. You do know that Stones statistically won more balls in the air per game than both Kompany and Laporte last season right? On top of being a far better passer. He makes a couple of fuck ups for England and suddenly we need to spend £90 million on Maguire to replace him? Before his injury and all the shit that was going on in his personal life he was rock solid for us.

He was fantastic in the first part of the season alongside Laporte before the shit hit the fan. I have confidence in this partnership for the future. We were a much stronger attacking force with Stones and Laporte coming out from the back. I also thought he had an excellent world cup. One nightmare in the Nations League doesn't make Stones a bad player. I am sure he will sort his head out and have a great season for us.

 

[leo_city]

Maguire in front of Stones with the style of football we play?

I think I need to put you on the ignore list before I call you a stupid ćunt, too late. Sorry pal I’m joking but come on please don’t force me to post a picture of John McEnroe, I will do it next time I swear.

hilarious.

I don't want him either, but rather him competing with Stones than Otamendi. Personally want Alderweireld, but doesn't seem like that'll happen, or Aké if possible.

 

[leo_city]

Except Maguire isn't coming here, we're just not paying the amount of money they want for him, I suspect we baulked when it got above £60m, but carried on showing some interest in the player, but its a minimum of £75 now, so we're out, and rightly so, it doesn't matter who's money it is, he isn't worth anything like that price.

I don't care about anyone's worth, just hope we get someone be it him. 3 CBs for a whole season isn't enough, especially not with Otamendi and if Stones has injury problems like last season it'll be bad

 

[ctid1894]

hilarious.

I don't want him either, but rather him competing with Stones than Otamendi. Personally want Alderweireld, but doesn't seem like that'll happen, or Aké if possible.

I like Otamendi, he’s not perfect but he’s still a very good player who has never let us down and gives 100% every single game so he’ll always get my backing. If he wants to leave to get more minutes I’d completely understand and my choice of replacements from the players we’ve been linked with would be Ake. I think he’s the best all round player and has the added bonus of being able to cover Laporte with being left footed, the right side centre back position is already covered with Stones, Fernandinho, Walker and Garcia as far as I see it.